How to Transfer Files to an SD Card on Android

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Easy ways to move files to removable storage on your Android
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Do you want to transfer files from your Android's internal storage to an SD card? If your phone has an SD card expansion slot, you can install an SD card and store files—such as your photos and videos—on your SD card. Not only does this free up space on your phone's internal storage, but it also makes it easy to transfer your files to another phone with an SD card expansion slot. This wikiHow article teaches you how to transfer files to an SD card on an Android phone or tablet.

Quickly Transfer Files to an SD Card

  1. Open File by Google or My Files .
  2. Navigate to the files you want to transfer.
  3. Tap and hold a file, and then tap additional files to transfer.
  4. Tap the icon with three dots (â‹®) (Files by Google only).
  5. Tap Move or Move to .
  6. Navigate to your SD card and open the folder you want to transfer to.
  7. Tap Move here .
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Files by Google

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  1. The Files app comes pre-installed on phones and tablets that run stock Android (Android phones that are not a Samsung Galaxy). The Files by Google app has an icon resembling a blue folder with green, yellow, and red pages.
    • If you do not have Files by Google, you can download it for free from the Google Play Store.
    • If you haven't already, insert an SD card into your phone or tablet's SD card expansion slot. You’ll need to format , and mount it . This will erase any data that is on the SD card. If there is anything on the SD card you want to keep, back it up first.
      • Not all Android devices have an SD card expansion slot.
    • If your Android device does not have an SD card expansion slot, you can buy a Micro SD USB-C adapter online.
  2. The Files app organizes your files by type. Tap the file type you want to transfer. You can also tap Internal Storage to navigate the file system on your phone's internal storage.
    • Downloads: This contains files you have recently downloaded from the internet using a web browser or other apps.
    • Images: This contains photos and pictures you have downloaded from the internet and photos you have taken using your camera.
    • Videos: This contains video files you have downloaded from the internet and videos you have shot with your camera.
    • Audio: This contains any audio or music files you have stored on your phone, including MP3s, ringtones, and wave files.
    • Documents & other: This contains random text files, like PDF documents, docx documents, and text files.
    • Internal Storage: This allows you to browse the file system on your phone's internal storage. Use this option if you know exactly where the file you want to transfer is located.
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  3. This will display a blue checkmark icon next to the file or in the upper-left corner of the image thumbnail. You will see a circle next to all the other files as well.
  4. This will display a checkmark in the circle icon next to the file or in the upper-left corner of the thumbnail image. Check all files you want to transfer.
  5. It's the icon with three vertical dots in the upper-right corner. This displays a drop-down menu.
  6. This option will let you transfer selected files to a different location. It will ask you to select a new location for your file.
    • Alternatively, you can tap Copy to to save a copy of the files to your SD card while keeping another copy on your phone or tablet's internal storage.
    • If you want to back up your files to Google Drive, tap Backup to Google Drive at the bottom of the menu.
  7. This opens your SD Card on your phone.
  8. Find the folder where you want to move your file to and tap on this folder to select it.
    • If you want to create a new folder, tap Add new folder and then type a name for the folder.
  9. This will transfer the files to the folder you selected or created. https://support.google.com/files/answer/9712028
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using My Files on Samsung Galaxy

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  1. Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets come with the My Files app. It has a yellow icon with an image that resembles a folder. You can usually find it inside the Samsung folder in the Apps menu. [1]
    • If you do not have an SD card installed on your smartphone or tablet, insert an SD card in your phone or tablet's SD card expansion slot and format and mount it .
  2. My Files organizes your files by type. You can tap Internal Storage to navigate the file system on your phone's internal storage or one of the following categories:
    • Images: Photos and pictures you have downloaded from the internet and photos you have taken using your camera.
    • Videos: Video files you have downloaded from the internet and videos you have shot with your camera.
    • Documents: Text files, like PDF documents, docx documents, and text files.
    • Audio files: Audio or music files, including MP3s, ringtones, and WAV files.
    • Downloads: Files you download from the internet.
    • Installation files: APK files used to manually install apps.
    • Internal Storage: This is below the “Storage” header. This allows you to browse the file system on your phone's internal storage. Use this option if you know exactly where the file you want to transfer is located.
  3. This will display a blue checkmark icon next to the file or in the upper-left corner of the image thumbnail. You will see a circle next to all the other files as well. [2]
  4. This will display a checkmark in the circle icon next to the file or in the upper-left corner of the thumbnail image. Check all files you want to transfer.
  5. It's the icon that resembles a folder with an arrow pointing right. It's the first button at the bottom of the screen on the left side. [3]
    • Alternatively, you can save a copy of the files to your SD card by tapping Copy at the bottom of the screen.
  6. To do so, tap the bracket pointing left in the upper-left corner of the screen to navigate back to the category page.
  7. It's next to an icon that resembles an SD card near the bottom of the menu. This opens your SD card. [4]
    • Alternatively, you can back up your files to a cloud storage app like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive by tapping the icon at the bottom of the screen.
  8. Navigate to the folder you want to save the files to and tap it to open it.
    • You can create a new folder by tapping the plus ( + ) icon at the top of the screen. Enter the name of the new folder and tap Create . Then tap the new folder.
  9. It's in the lower-right corner. This transfers all the files you selected to your SD card. [5]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using a Windows PC

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  1. Connect the charging cable that came with your Android to your phone or tablet, then connect the other end to a free USB port on your computer.
    • The first time you connect your phone to your computer, you may be asked what you want to do with this device. Click Open folder to view files and then click Ok .
    • You can transfer files on a Mac as well. However, to do so, you will need to download the Android File Transfer app. You can download it from android.com/filetransfer .
  2. File Explorer has an icon that resembles a folder with a blue clip. You can click the File Explorer icon in the taskbar or Windows Start menu, or you can use the keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer. [6]
  3. For Windows to access your phone, it needs to be powered on with the screen unlocked. Enter your password or unlock pattern to unlock your phone.
    • If your phone does not appear in File Explorer, swipe down from the top of the screen on your Android to view your notifications. Then, tap the USB notification (it may say “USB Charging” or something similar), tap it again, and select Transferring Files/Android Auto .
  4. Locate the name of your phone in the menu panel to the left and click it. It should display two drives. One for your phone's internal storage and one for your SD card.
  5. Files stored on your phone are in the “Internal Storage” folder. You can usually find your pictures and videos in the "DCIM" folder. Files associated with a specific application will generally be in a folder named after that app.
  6. To select a single file, simply click it. To select multiple files, click and drag over them, or hold Ctrl and click the files you want to select. https://support.google.com/android/answer/9064445
    • To select all files within a folder, press Ctrl + A .
  7. Copying a file will move a copy of the file to your SD card and leave the original on your internal storage. Cutting a file will remove the file from your internal storage and transfer it to your SD card.
  8. If your SD card is inserted in your phone and mounted, you can find it by clicking your phone in the menu panel to the left and then clicking the icon that resembles an SD card.
  9. To do so, click the folder to which you want to transfer your files.
    • You can create a new folder in Windows 10 by right-clicking any blank space and then clicking New, followed by Folder . Then type a name for the folder and press Enter . On Windows 11, click New at the top of File Explorer and click Folder . Then type a name for the folder and press Enter .
  10. Right-click any blank space in the folder. Then click Paste . This will transfer the files to your SD card.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using a Mac

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  1. Open MTP is a free and open-source app for Mac that allows you to transfer files between your Mac and your Android device. It’s similar to Google's Android File Transfer app, but less buggy. Use the following steps to download and install Open MTP:
    • Go to openmtp.ganeshrvel.com/ in a web browser.
    • Click Download for Apple Silicon (M1/M2) if you have a newer Mac.
      • If you have an older Mac with an Intel chip (usually 2020 and older), click Download for Intel Silicon (older Mac) instead.
      • You can find what type of Mac you have by clicking the Apple icon, followed by About this Mac . Apple Silicon Macs will have an M1/M2/M3/M4 listed next to “Chip.” Intel Macs will have an Intel model listed next to “Processor” instead.
    • Click Save to save the DMG file.
    • Open the installation DMG file in your Downloads folder.
    • Drag the Open MTP application to your Applications folder.
  2. It has a blue icon with an “O” in the middle. Click it in your Applications folder to open the app.
  3. Use a USB charging cable to connect your Android device to a free USB port on your Mac.
  4. For macOS to access your phone, your phone needs to be powered on, and it needs to be unlocked. Enter your password or unlock pattern to unlock your phone.
    • If your phone does not appear in Open MTP, swipe down from the top of the screen on your Android to view your notifications, tap the USB notification (it may say “USB Charging” or something similar), tap it again, then select Transferring Files/Android Auto .
    • If there is an error connecting your phone, make sure there aren’t any other USB devices trying to access your Mac.
  5. All of your Android files are displayed in the panel on the right side. Navigate to the files you want to transfer.
    • You can usually find your pictures and videos in the "DCIM" folder. Files associated with a specific application will generally be in a folder named after that app.
  6. Click the file you want to transfer to select it. If you want to select multiple files, hold Command and click the files you want to select.
    • To select all files, press Command + A .
  7. This displays a context menu.
  8. Copying a file will move a copy of the file to your SD card and leave the original on your internal storage. Cutting a file will remove the file from your internal storage and transfer it to your SD card.
  9. It’s at the top of the panel to the right. This displays your SD card storage.
  10. Click the folder you want to transfer the files to in the panel to the right.
    • If you want to create a new folder, right-click (or Control-click ) and click New . Then enter a name for the folder and press Return .
  11. To do so, right-click (or Control-click ) and click Paste . This transfers the files from your phone’s internal storage to the SD card.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can we transfer the game from internal storage to an SD card? Can the game work as usual then?
    Vaibhav Baghel
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can.Navigate to Settings on your phone. You can find the settings menu in the app drawer. Tap Apps. Select an app you want to move to the microSD card. Tap Storage. Tap Change if it's there. If you don't see the Change option, the app cannot be moved. Tap Move.
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 6
  • Question
    Can I transfer an update that has been loaded to my Samsung phone to an SD card and what do I need to do that?
    Community Answer
    Insert the Windows XP CD and boot to it. Put in the CD and then restart your computer. Wait for the setup files to finish loading. If the computer starts into Windows Vista instead of Windows XP Setup, you may have to press a key to boot from the CD. Restart your computer and press the key for the boot menu. This key is different for every computer depending on the BIOS.
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  • Question
    I don't see "Move to SD card," only "Move to secure folder."
    Mitchtc
    Community Answer
    After selecting a photo or photos and the additional three vertical dot options, there should also be an option for "Move to Album". Click that. Then scroll through your photo albums until you find the named album on your SD card. There should also be a small SD card symbol in the bottom left corner of the album cover.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/how-to-use-my-files/
      2. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/using-an-sd-card/
      3. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/using-an-sd-card/
      4. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/using-an-sd-card/
      5. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/using-an-sd-card/
      6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/file-explorer-in-windows-ef370130-1cca-9dc5-e0df-2f7416fe1cb1

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open your file manager app.
      2. Tap Device Storage or Internal Storage .
      3. Find the file you want to transfer.
      4. Tap and hold the file.
      5. Tap More .
      6. Select Move to .
      7. Select your SD card.
      8. Tap Done or OK .

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